Photo: Flint DuxfieldClimate
change is the issue of our generation. As governments develop their
responses to the climate crisis what role will international trade play
in what is decided. What role will government subsidies play? Can we
encourage people to buy less carbon intensive products by applying
tariffs? Will we see intellectual property rules restrict the
production of desperately needed environmentally friendly technologies?
AFTINET has been working on examining the
relationship between the World Trade Organisation's rules on trade and
what governments are and aren't permitted to do in response to climate
change. There is currently great uncertainty surrounding what is and
isn't permissible for governments to do in response to climate change.
Whilst there is an exception in the WTO for environmental protection,
given the history of such an exception not being accepted, there are
great concerns that that trend may apply to climate change measures.
To find out more download AFTINET's "The Wrong Climate for Free Trade?" leaflet on WTO rules and climate change.
AFTINET will continue to work on the area of climate change and global trade rules.
